Coming from the Qu series, these are a pretty significant upgrade - more channels, more mixes, nicer UI, scribble strips, etc. Most of the GLD functionality coming down to the Qu. Maybe somebody needs 96KHz, but this is marketing fluff, IMO.

Coming from the GLD series perspective, the Sq is probably closer to the GLD than the Qu. SQ advantages are multi-track recording, more surface IO, 12 stereo mixes plus mains, and 96KHz. Disadvantages are fewer dedicated controls for EQ, lack of flexible bus architecture (i.e. the SQ can do 12 stereo mixes which is actually more than the GLD can, however the SQ can't do 16 mono mixes, which the GLD can), and inability to split fader banks. The GLD112 has a few more faders than the SQ6.

Positioned in between the Qu and GLD. MAP of the SQ5 $2799, MAP of the SQ6 $3499 both in USD.

They use the GLD/Qu series stage boxes.

A note on the Facebook page says both the GLD and Qu are still in active development with firmware updates due before the end of the year.

These seem like nice products.

Its got more inputs and busses than the GLD, it uses new 96KHz racks, but can use the old GLD / Qu 48KHz racks.

I suspect the Qu will remain the entry level desk for some time and the GLD will eventually be phased out, but not just yet.

The reports / tests that I have read recently indicate that the D-Live is one of the best sounding desk out there, while the GLD and Qu sound great I suspect SQ at 96KHz will be very similar to the D-Live in sound quality.

Its got more inputs and busses than the GLD, it uses new 96KHz racks, but can use the old GLD / Qu 48KHz racks.

I suspect the Qu will remain the entry level desk for some time and the GLD will eventually be phased out, but not just yet.

The reports / tests that I have read recently indicate that the D-Live is one of the best sounding desk out there, while the GLD and Qu sound great I suspect SQ at 96KHz will be very similar to the D-Live in sound quality.

Can you elaborate on the inputs and busses? I'm making assumptions on public information on Facebook and the A&H page, which aren't complete yet. I get the feeling that the bus architecture is fixed like the Qu series rather than the GLD, and they say 48 inputs which is the same as the GLD. What am I missing?

Can you elaborate on the inputs and busses? I'm making assumptions on public information on Facebook and the A&H page, which aren't complete yet. I get the feeling that the bus architecture is fixed like the Qu series rather than the GLD, and they say 48 inputs which is the same as the GLD. What am I missing?

From the literature on-line:

6 layers of 16 faders provide 96 assignable strips for access to any combination of channels, returns, masters and DCAs.

It's not clear to me whether the inputs and outputs can be assigned as on the GLD.

6 layers of 16 faders provide 96 assignable strips for access to any combination of channels, returns, masters and DCAs.

It's not clear to me whether the inputs and outputs can be assigned as on the GLD.

Just to add to that ...

The GLD is 44 mono mic channels and 2 stereo line inputs and 30 buses, the SQ is 48 (I think, the info is a bit vague) mic inputs plus 2 stereo line inputs and 36 buses.

The architecture from what I can gather is fixed to some extent but here is a quote form A&H Facebook page.

“There are 6 layers of assignable channel strips that can be set up any way you like - you cannot split the console, but you can assign the same channels across multiple layers. The SoftRotaries on the SQ-6 can also be assigned to control levels if you'd prefer to work that way.”